The
Devis Birthday

Already in the
morning the sun had risen with full glory and vigour.

The sky was bathed in
golden light and was glowing with a radiance never seen before.

A mild cool breeze,
sweet like the odem of a loving God, played gently with the leaves of the
trees, while it seemed to carry a mysterious sublime smell of rose, which
filled the atmosphere of Chindwara, the little village in Maharastra.

What was normally a
noisy morning, with people starting their day to day life, was strangely different
today. A tremendous silence was embracing time, and everybody felt so
awe-inspired, and yet so euphoric, as if they had a premonition of something
exceptional to happen.

Only a few were aware
that in the house of the Salve family Mother Cornelia was lying in labour
pains, and that husband, children and relatives were anxiously waiting for the
moment to come.

And the moment came.

At mid day, when the
chariot of Lord Surya had stopped right over the village,

SHE took HER birth
into this most fortunate family amongst men.

For a short moment it
became totally dark and rays of light fell on the Salve house only.

The gentle breeze
swell to a mighty wind, and for a moment the fragrance of rose became so
strong, that everybody later-on remembered the strange, yet evident sensation.

No sound was heard
from the new born baby,

and HER body was pure
and clean, without any traces of birth.

HER dark beautiful
eyes were immediately wide open, and were filled with ageless love and
compassion. A sparkling light sprang from them, and seemed to connect with
everyone around.

Mother and Father
looked at each other, and tears of love welled up in their eyes, as they both
felt mysteriously touched and moved.

”NIRMALA”, she
whispered, and he nodded in understanding and consent.

The siblings of the
new-born member of the family ran out of the house and through the village.

“A girl, a girl”,
they shouted. “Her name is Nirmala, Nirmala”. Other children followed and
joined in the chorus. Dogs jumped at them playfully and barked, while they ran
with the group.

The news was quickly
spread, and the atmosphere, electric with expectation,

was instantly
transformed into joyous chatting and laughter.

The day went on with
spontaneous festivities. Neighbours were generously hosted by the proud father
and His relatives. A music band was ordered and played popular tunes, while
everyone enjoyed the lavish flow of food and drink. In the evening the whole
village gathered before the house of the Salves and joined in the singing and
dancing.

More and more people came,
many of them seemed crowned by a halo of dim light, which increased with their
exuberant dancing and singing. Was it, that the Devas themselves, had come to
join the party and participate in the celebration of the new born child?

The atmosphere was
charged with unbelievable energy, when everybody got together into a dance,
which was led by a beautiful young man playing the flute, and a radiant girl,
who gave the rhythm with a pair of golden sticks. All of a sudden an elephant headed
boy jumped forward into the circle that had formed, and danced in ecstatic joy.
Nobody wondered. Everyone was strangely transformed by the magic of the night,
and totally dissolved into this collective body of blissful exaltation.

The fabulous feast
went on, while the new born Nirmala rested with HER Mother,

who could not stop
gazing at her baby. Nirmala’s face was so calm and bright. A content smile
played on HER sweet lips, when SHE finally fell asleep for HER first night on
earth.

After a while, when
everyone had gone to bed, and Chindwara had sunk into peaceful darkness,

a glowing light fell
through the window, and shone on Mother and child.

Suddenly, out of
nowhere, three majestic young men approached the bed, prostrated before the
sleeping baby, blessed the Mother, and disappeared again.